Chael Sonnen claims that Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall is all however a accomplished deal.
For over a 12 months, one of many greatest tales in MMA is the potential combat between UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones and interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall and whether or not it would occur in any respect. Nicely, in accordance with UFC Corridor of Famer Chael Sonnen, it’s not a query of if, however when.
“Alex Pereira was one of the crucial fascinating males we have now in our sport as a result of he was going for use as a pawn on the chessboard to get Aspinall vs. Jones collectively,” Sonnen advised Submission Radio just lately. “If Jon Jones stored holding out, that chance was merely going to fit to Alex Pereira. Pereira vs. Aspinall is one hell of a comfort prize in case you can’t get Jones vs. Aspinall. …
“They obtained a deal accomplished with Jon Jones and Aspinall, a minimum of verbally, the evening earlier than — that is inside data, you’ll not have heard this story anyplace else — they obtained a deal accomplished verbally the evening earlier than Pereira vs. Ankalaev.”
Sonnen’s claims appear to assist latest feedback from UFC CEO Dana White who advised TNT Sports activities just lately that the bout is “only a matter of when now, getting it signed and accomplished” in addition to feedback from Aspinall that he’s “very optimistic” in regards to the matchup. However regardless of all this optimism, nothing has been made official but, maybe as a result of, as rumor has it, Jones desires six months to arrange for the bout. Or, in accordance with Sonnen, Jones merely backed himself right into a nook.
“I’ll let you know one factor: Jon Jones desires six months, I don’t consider Jon meant it when he stated it,” Sonnen stated. “I don’t suppose Jon ever knew this was going to be a press release he might make that will then stick round for 3 weeks and all people can be bouncing this forwards and backwards. I don’t suppose he actually meant it.
“I do know when Jon sat down on the desk and the very first time he ever spoke about Tom Aspinall he stated, ‘I would like $30 million,’ he didn’t imply that. They have been simply phrases after which they ended up sticking. … He didn’t really imply it. He didn’t imply that he wants six months, however now they put him within the place the place he nearly has to demand that he will get six months as a result of it’s been so huge. …
“One factor about it although, go get your cash. The cash doesn’t change. Get it as fast as you possibly can and get accomplished. The one factor that placing six months between Jon and Tom will do — and I don’t know who wins between these boys. There’s a purpose they stroll on the market and do the precise combat. Nothing will change although. In the event that they combat tonight, in the event that they combat in Madison Sq. Backyard in November, in the event that they combat on the street in a month, in the event that they combat in six days, six weeks, six months, or six years, whoever is healthier will win. one hundred pc of the time.”
Earlier this 12 months, Dana White steered the combat might happen this summer season, which might not mesh with Jones’s rumored six-month demand. Nevertheless, as Sonnen factors out, if that is all true, it could line up effectively for Jones to take yet one more journey to The Massive Apple when the UFC makes its yearly pilgrimage there this fall.
“Sure, I do,” Sonnen stated when requested if he believes the combat will occur this 12 months. “I’m going to foretell November, New York. That’s not an inside scoop, by the best way. I simply know in November they’re taking part in New York, in December they’re taking part in Vegas. That’s an enormous combat. Perhaps you’re taking it to the combat capital of the world. Perhaps. Or perhaps you’re taking it to the venue that’s produced your largest dwell gate in historical past. I suppose we’ll see how that complete factor performs out.”
